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Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Bagan

The Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan, in Myanmar.

A prototype of Burmese stupas, it consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta (r. 1044–77), who was the founder of the Pagan Dynasty, in 1059–1060 and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of his son King Kyansittha. Over the centuries the pagoda had been damaged by many earthquakes and other natural calamities, and has been refurbished several times. In recent renovations it has been covered by more than 30,000 copper plates. However, the lowest level terraces have remained as they were.

This pagoda, a Buddhist religious place, is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. The pagoda is in the form of a cone formed by five square terraces with a central solid core. There are footprints below the four standing Buddha statues here. Jataka legends are depicted on glazed terra-cotta tiles set into three rectangular terraces. At the entrance of the pagoda there are large statues of guardians of the temple. There are also four bronze standing statues of Buddha which are stated to be of the current age Buddha. At the outer limits of the pagoda there are 37 nats deified along with an intricately carved wooden sculpture of Thagyamin a Burmese version of Hindu god Indra. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda there is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by Kyansittha.

Large mythological lion (Chinthe) at the south gate of Shwezigon Pagoda.
Chinthe is the Burmese word for 'lion'.

  • The leograph of Chinthe is a highly stylized lion commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).
  • See more at Chinthe - Wikipedia.

South side of Shwezigon Pagoda.

Pavilion in the south of Shwezigon Pagoda.
Pavilion located in the south of Shwezigon Pagoda with the representation of Buddha's departure from his father's palace.


Pyu Tinggi Shrine.
Small shrine located in the southwest corner of Shwezigon Pagoda.


Shwe Nyothin and Shwe Sagar Nat Shrine.
Shrine dedicated to the nat spirit of the place.


Southwest corner of the pagoda.

Saturday corner.
The Burmese zodiac employs eight signs in a seven-day week, with each sign representing its own day, cardinal direction, planet (celestial body) and animal; it is known as the "Mahabote zodiac".


Small shrine on the west side of the pagoda.

West side of the pagoda.

Standing Buddha.
This is a "Mandalay Style" Buddha (19th century), so called from the period 1861-1885 when Mandalay was the capital of Burma.

  • In Mandalay Style, the Buddha's clothing no longer follows the traditional iconography, but is based instead on court robes of the period.

Shwezigon reflected in a puddle of water.

Southeast corner of Shwezigon Pagoda.

U Tun Sein and Daw Aye Kyin Tsang Zaeong.
Pavilion in the southeast of the pagoda covered with wooden carvings representing Jakata tales.

  • The Jataka (meaning "Birth Story", "related to a birth") are a voluminous body of literature native to the Indian subcontinent which mainly concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form.
  • Jataka stories, were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas.
  • See more at Jataka tales - Wikipedia.

Sculpture with elephant and monks carrying alms bowl.

Pavilion of the 37 Nats.
At the outer limits of the pagoda there are 37 nats deified along with an intricately carved wooden sculpture of Thagyamin, the Burmese version of the Indian god Indra.

  • Thagyamin is the highest-ranking nat (deity) in traditional Burmese Buddhist belief. Considered as the king of Heaven, he is the Burmese adaptation of the Hindu deity Indra.
  • See more at Thagyamin - Wikipedia.

Snake sculpture on the outer limits of the pagoda.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)